By Korea Times
Kim, a 33-year-old ardent fan of actor Byeon Woo-seok, recently found herself frequently visiting ticket booking websites. She sighed as she recounted her struggles to secure a seat for Byeon's fan meeting in Seoul that took place on Saturday and Sunday.
"The competition to get a ticket was so fierce that I couldn't even get a seat with a restricted view. I kept checking the booking sites because I wanted to attend so badly, but I couldn't get a ticket. Most of the people around me couldn't get tickets either," she lamented.
The actor's popularity is nothing short of a whirlwind. His fame, ignited by the tvN drama "Lovely Runner," has remained fervent even a month after the drama concluded.
His popularity seems to be climbing even higher post-drama. Byeon has been on an Asian fan meeting tour, with stops in Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia and Singapore, culminating in a fan meeting in Seoul this month.
Many actors have gained widespread popularity through their characters in dramas, but Byeon's current meteoric rise is unprecedented. The tickets for his fan meeting saw a staggering 700,000 concurrent users trying to book, a testament to his explosive popularity.
Social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube are flooded with posts detailing his every move, and wherever he goes, he is met with throngs of fans.
Byeon debuted as a model in 2010 and transitioned to acting with roles in several dramas such as "Dear My Friends," "Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo," "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo," "Record of Youth," and "Strong Woman Kang Nam-soon."
Despite his steady work, no one anticipated the explosive popularity he achieved with "Lovely Runner." Understanding the reasons behind this intense popularity is essential.
Character and real-life narrative
A crucial factor in Byeon's soaring popularity is his role as Sun-jae in "Lovely Runner."
He played Sun-jae, the main vocalist of the top band Eclipse and a former swimmer, portraying a pure, romantic love. His character, who only had eyes for one woman and possessed an ethereal charm, resonated with many viewers' ideals of first love.
Sun-jae's character, embodying an innocent first love narrative rarely seen in recent dramas, struck a chord with the audience, which then translated into a growing fanbase for the actor.
If Sun-jae was the catalyst for Byeon's rise, the expansion of this interest into fandom was fueled by his personal story.
After debuting as a model in 2010 and transitioning to acting, Byeon Woo-seok endured a long period of obscurity.
His persistent efforts in various fields, including variety shows and photo shoots, have recently been unearthed by fans, adding depth to his narrative as a "rising star who persevered through hardships."
His resilience, demonstrated by numerous rejections and challenges, has struck a chord with fans, further amplifying their support.
Cultural critic Kim Heon-sik said, "Byeon Woo-seok has been undervalued for a long time. 'Lovely Runner' was a project that showcased his charm perfectly. His combination of masculinity, androgynous appeal, and a trustworthy image has captivated fans from their 20s to their 50s."
Importance of his next
Byeon's current peak, achieved after an eight-year-long struggle, marks a significant turning point in his career.
While he has swiftly risen to stardom, the next steps he takes are crucial. In a recent appearance on tvN's "You Quiz on the Block," Byeon said that the number of scripts he receives has increased ten to twenty times, raising anticipation for his next project.
However, with his ongoing Asian tour, no details about his next project have been revealed.
A broadcasting insider said, "This is a critical time for Byeon Woo-seok. He needs to be very cautious in choosing his next project to maintain his current popularity and relevance."
Critic Kim emphasized the importance of understanding fans' desires in choosing his next role.
"While Byeon Woo-seok's inherent charm is undeniable, the popularity sparked by his portrayal of Sun-jae needs to be carried forward. He must accurately gauge the fans' expectations and incorporate his unique twist in his next project."
(This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by staff of The Korea Times.)